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For Immediate
Release
5/26/10
  -
Senator Eichelberger
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Senator Ward
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Senator White
Senators Unveil Bipartisan "Methadone
Accountability Package"
 Harrisburg – A group of lawmakers and advocates unveiled a bipartisan package
of legislation today overhauling Pennsylvania’s methadone treatment laws to
increase fiscal accountability and safety, and reduce the unlawful use of
methadone and methadone poisoning deaths.
Discussing their legislation at a Capitol news conference were Sen. Kim Ward
(R-39), Sen. John Eichelberger (R-30), Sen. Mike Stack (D-5) and Sen. Don White
(R-41). Also on hand was Marti Hottenstein, who helped found Helping America
Reduce Methadone Deaths (HARMD) after the death of her son, as well as Sen.
Elder Vogel (R-47), and Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-18).
"The state methadone program is spending tax dollars for open-ended treatment
with no accountability or oversight," said Senator Ward. "It’s incredible that
with so many lives – and tax dollars – at stake, no state agency has bothered to
do an audit. I want to know what the state is spending and what it can do
better."
The measures making up the Methadone Accountability Package address the
illegal diversion of methadone from treatment uses; methadone use and highway
safety; and accountability in government-sponsored treatment, including cost to
taxpayers, open-ended treatment, overdoses and deaths.
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Senate Bill 1293 -- Requires reviews for all methadone-related
deaths, and development of best practices to prevent future deaths. (Senator
Stack)
- Senate Bill 1294 -- Creates the Methadone Addiction Prevention and
Treatment Act, to provide for the safe use of methadone to treat heroin and
other opiate addictions. (Senator Stack)
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Senate Bill 1376 -- Implements diversion control and dosing
standards. ("Karl’s Law" – Senator Eichelberger)
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Senate Bill 1377 -- Establishes clinic standards to prevent
methadone-related highway accidents. (Senator Eichelberger)
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Senate Bill 1378 -- Makes it a crime to drive under the influence
of more than the prescribed dose of methadone. (Senator Eichelberger)
- Senate Bill 1382 -- Requires a narcotic treatment plan with a
one-year limit with an additional six months if progressing toward a full
recovery. (Senator Ward)
- Senate Bill 1383 -- Requires individuals to receive methadone
treatment at a clinic closest to their residence. (Senator Ward)
- Senate Resolution 348 -- Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance
Committee to complete a performance audit of the state’s methadone treatment and
transportation program. (Senator Ward)
Senator Eichelberger noted that guidelines in Pennsylvania covering methadone
clinics are found only in regulation.
"Pennsylvania’s law has not kept pace with the changes in the prescription of
methadone---and too frequently with deadly consequences," said Senator
Eichelberger. "Methadone is a drug with its own unique properties. One pill or
one dose can kill a non- or low-opiate-tolerant person. Even a day or two after
the drug is taken, it has lead to fatalities for those who mix alcohol or other
drugs."
The National Drug Intelligence Center reported a 109 percent increase in the
unlawful diversion of methadone from 2003 to 2007. The National Center for
Health Statistics found that, from 1999-2005, the number of poisoning deaths
involving methadone increased 468 percent, and the rate of methadone deaths in
younger individuals (age 15 to 24) increased eleven-fold.
The increase in methadone use and abuse has also affected highway safety. The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that a single dose can
cause reductions in reaction time, visual acuity and information processing.
"Pennsylvania needs better laws to prevent methadone abuse and provide
patients with the proper protections and treatment plans they need to achieve a
lifetime of sobriety," Senator Stack said. "This package of bills is a solid
step toward achieving those goals."
Senator White noted a new program that placed reasonable limits on the
distance the Cambria and Indiana Counties Medical Assistance Transportation
Program may reimburse Medical Assistance recipients for providing their own
transportation to methadone treatment. He said the approach could serve as a
model statewide.
"We are just starting to see the results of the new program, but indications
are that both Indiana County and Cambria County will realize thousands of
dollars in savings each year without reducing treatments or placing an undue
burden on their clients," Senator White said.
Contacts:
(Senator Ward) Vicki Wilken (717) 787-6063
(Senator Eichelberger) Lee Derr (717) 787-5490
(Senator Stack) Elizabeth Rementer (717) 787-5166
(Senator White) Joe Pittman (717) 787-8724
Additional Information:
Tax Relief
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